In and around Melbourne Sept 2014

Since the walking tour we have been out & about enjoying our last few weeks in the most liveable city in the world – Melbourne! We had a few weekends when we couldn’t do a lot after I tore my calf muscle badly playing netball with work, & was off my feet for a week or two! Sadly no half marathon for me! But David continued to train for his full marathon!

beautiful run by the sea

south melbourne market

David was lucky to go to the semi final of the Aussie Rules football at the MCG with his relative Ross, & when my calf muscle was on the mend we got out and about & did what we could!

On Grand Final day (final of Aussie Rules footy), which is massive in Oz and particularly in Melbourne as the final is held here, we headed down to Federation Square to watch the match on the big screen! We were a tad hungover this day, so missed the start, but soon found a spot along with hundreds of other avid fans! The atmosphere was great, but the match was a bit boring if I’m honest as the Hawthorn Hawks were well in the lead most of game!

Grand Final Day

One other weekend we headed out to explore the city, and stopped by Melbourne Central shopping centre! The shopping centre is home to the beautiful Shot Tower & has a large Fob watch which plays Waltzing Matilda every hour with moving birds & people. Definitely worth a look!

Shot tower

After this we headed to the Royal Exhibition Building for a tour. The tour departs from the Melbourne Museum and costs $10pp & lasts around 45mins. We learnt about the history of the building & learnt something new – it is a Unesco World Heritage Building….It is beautiful building but not sure if the 45min tour is necessary!

Inside the Royal Exhibition Building

After the tour, we headed to see St Patricks Cathedral but unfortunately couldn’t get inside due to a wedding. We then stumbled across Fitzroy Gardens by chance, & saw Cooks Cottage. Definitely a place to take a picnic on a sunny day!

St Patricks Cathedral

Fitzroy Gardens

On the day before the Melbourne Marathon, we headed into the city & wandered down by the Yarra river, checking out rowers & a kids skatepark along the way. The city never ceases to amaze us with all that it offers, in the space of about half an hour, we saw numerous sports being played. We also passed by the Tennis arena, where we saw the ball boys & girls training for the Aussie Open Tennis in January!

skatepark

Yarra River

After this we headed out to Brunswick on the tram, to check out a rooftop bar – Naked for Satan. Here we had wonderful views over the city, had a few drinks and some gorgeous tapas & caught up with a friend. Don’t miss this place if you are in the area!

View from rooftop bar

nom nom

inside Naked for Satan

We have also been walking each evening after work around St Kilda, towards Port Melbourne and Brighton & seen some beautiful sunsets as well as people cooling off in the sea, and enjoying volleyball on the beach!

St Kilda sunset

sunset from our balcony

Evening walks by the sea 🙂

Beautiful St Kilda & city in the background

Volleyball tournament

St Kilda marina

O and did I mention a few bbqs & drinks by the beach thrown into the mix! Now you know why we loveeeeeee Melbourne!